From Ljubljana (cont.)
I didn't mention the origin of the name Črna Gora (Montenegro in Italian, or in English: Black Mountain). As I mentioned previously, the country is very mountainous (someplace almost as high as Triglav), and although on the sea side the slopes are mostly barren, in the interior, especially at higher elevations, there are forests of black pine, hence Black Mountain. Another interesting fact is that their official monetary system is the European EVRO. Though they are not a member country, they have adopted their money through special arrangements with the German banks. Since Slovenia is due to change over to the EVRO from the Slovenian Tolar in Jan. 1997, and we are already now getting used to pricing items in both currencies, I found it helpful while there, to use exclusively Evros (my keyboard doesn't have the Symbol for it).
Albania, where I spent Thursday, June 1. on the tour, is or was one of the strongholds of Communism, in company with North Korea and Cuba. It was THEE most orthodox of the communist led countries, and condemned the rest of the eastern block as heretical to true Communism, and consequentialy isolated itself from the rest by even closing all its borders. We entered the country by bus that traveled on virtual country lanes (someplaces still almost impassable for a big bus). On the Albanian side there were bunkers and pill boxes stationed at regular intervals for some miles, allegedly for defense from invasion - by other neighboring communist countries? (extreme paranoia). At the newly established provisional border crossing, our travel guide was also replaced by their own guide and translator, probably for both, a chance to give jobs to their own people as well as for promotion of their propaganda.
The country is mostly rural and in the city Schkoder, on the large lake with the same name on the border of Yugoslavia, was more like Europe one hundred years ago - poor, dirty, crowded and backward. The streets were in places just now getting new modern sidewalks in the downtown area only. A new Mosque as well as a Catholic church have recently been built there. During the communist regime, all church buildings and properties were confiscated and destroyed (Catholic, Orthodox, Muslim, ALL - throughout the entire country). The exception was in the capital city of Tirana where, because of its historical and architectural value, a church was spared (but closed for services), and one mosque, in an area by the coast that is regularly under water because of either the river floods or high tides - the building was left in its swamp since it was no longer in use. The people are (or rather were) a mix of Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox and Muslims - but by now mostly atheists (the reeducation in the schools has in these past generations done its work well).
Here too, an attempt is being made to develop tourism (the country is beautiful) and much construction is taking place, but more emphasis should be placed in an effort to curtail their pollution (garbage, air and water). The downtown area needs some rebuilding too - the banks the rioting people burned in a mistaken idea that they could thus get their money back, are still burned out hulks.
Along the lake shore not far from the city, new resorts are being built and we dined in a lush restaurant, not unlike ones on the shores of some lakes in Swicerland. On the whole, because of the country's natural beauty, it has great tourist potential. Another advantage is that their writing is not Cyrillic (like Russian, Serbian, etc. and thus difficult to read) but Latin, like the rest of Europe. The people also do not considered themselves as part of the Slavic Race, but are proud to refer to themselves as Indo-European.
A peculiarity I noticed was that I saw there more Mercedes cars than of any other type. Due to the almost extreme poverty evident everywhere, I found it perplexing they should be driving such expensive cars, including newer models. Upon inquiry, I was told that on their "rough" roads, these cars are more durable - but on further investigation (I never shy from asking more questions), it was hinted to me that most of these cars found their way here illegally - in other words, if you have your Mercedes stolen in Germany, France, Austria, etc., it most likely quickly found itself out of reach in Albania.
Prior to returning to Montenegro we visited a museum and the remains of an imposing ancient walled community (actually for its time, a large city) on the top of a steep hill, dating from 4,000 BC. It was impenetrable till (I think the Romans?) conquered it through a siege lasting many months. Only after the tunnel, leading down to the river through solid rock, was discovered and destroyed were the residents forced to give up after they ran out of water.
That's it this time. Sorry, but I took no pictures (I have no camera). Dobrina, you will have to advise me what to buy in Seattle, as also on how to operate it, OK?
Love from ata.
Albania, where I spent Thursday, June 1. on the tour, is or was one of the strongholds of Communism, in company with North Korea and Cuba. It was THEE most orthodox of the communist led countries, and condemned the rest of the eastern block as heretical to true Communism, and consequentialy isolated itself from the rest by even closing all its borders. We entered the country by bus that traveled on virtual country lanes (someplaces still almost impassable for a big bus). On the Albanian side there were bunkers and pill boxes stationed at regular intervals for some miles, allegedly for defense from invasion - by other neighboring communist countries? (extreme paranoia). At the newly established provisional border crossing, our travel guide was also replaced by their own guide and translator, probably for both, a chance to give jobs to their own people as well as for promotion of their propaganda.
The country is mostly rural and in the city Schkoder, on the large lake with the same name on the border of Yugoslavia, was more like Europe one hundred years ago - poor, dirty, crowded and backward. The streets were in places just now getting new modern sidewalks in the downtown area only. A new Mosque as well as a Catholic church have recently been built there. During the communist regime, all church buildings and properties were confiscated and destroyed (Catholic, Orthodox, Muslim, ALL - throughout the entire country). The exception was in the capital city of Tirana where, because of its historical and architectural value, a church was spared (but closed for services), and one mosque, in an area by the coast that is regularly under water because of either the river floods or high tides - the building was left in its swamp since it was no longer in use. The people are (or rather were) a mix of Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox and Muslims - but by now mostly atheists (the reeducation in the schools has in these past generations done its work well).
Here too, an attempt is being made to develop tourism (the country is beautiful) and much construction is taking place, but more emphasis should be placed in an effort to curtail their pollution (garbage, air and water). The downtown area needs some rebuilding too - the banks the rioting people burned in a mistaken idea that they could thus get their money back, are still burned out hulks.
Along the lake shore not far from the city, new resorts are being built and we dined in a lush restaurant, not unlike ones on the shores of some lakes in Swicerland. On the whole, because of the country's natural beauty, it has great tourist potential. Another advantage is that their writing is not Cyrillic (like Russian, Serbian, etc. and thus difficult to read) but Latin, like the rest of Europe. The people also do not considered themselves as part of the Slavic Race, but are proud to refer to themselves as Indo-European.
A peculiarity I noticed was that I saw there more Mercedes cars than of any other type. Due to the almost extreme poverty evident everywhere, I found it perplexing they should be driving such expensive cars, including newer models. Upon inquiry, I was told that on their "rough" roads, these cars are more durable - but on further investigation (I never shy from asking more questions), it was hinted to me that most of these cars found their way here illegally - in other words, if you have your Mercedes stolen in Germany, France, Austria, etc., it most likely quickly found itself out of reach in Albania.
Prior to returning to Montenegro we visited a museum and the remains of an imposing ancient walled community (actually for its time, a large city) on the top of a steep hill, dating from 4,000 BC. It was impenetrable till (I think the Romans?) conquered it through a siege lasting many months. Only after the tunnel, leading down to the river through solid rock, was discovered and destroyed were the residents forced to give up after they ran out of water.
That's it this time. Sorry, but I took no pictures (I have no camera). Dobrina, you will have to advise me what to buy in Seattle, as also on how to operate it, OK?
Love from ata.
posted by Okorn Family at 11:49 PM
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